SUSTAINABLE BIO-COMPOSITE INSULATION MATERIALS FOR SANDWICH PANELS PRODUCED FROM AGRICULTURAL WASTE

This paper presents a comprehensive theoretical and experimental study on the development of bio‑based thermal insulation materials intended for use as core layers of sandwich panels in residential buildings. The composites were produced using locally available agricultural residues, including cotton stalks and cereal straw, combined with a polymeric binder. Particular attention was paid to microstructural design, porosity formation, and heat transfer mechanisms within the material. The developed insulation boards demonstrated thermal conductivity values in the range of λ = 0.045–0.060 W/m·K at densities of 210–230 kg/m³, confirming their suitability for energy‑efficient and environmentally sustainable housing construction.